In their research, 2.7 million bacterial cells per square inch were found in a classroom water fountain spigot.

And here I was thinking that Im going to the gym to my health.

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, there are tons of dangerous pathogens in water fountains, such as E. coli, Legionella, and coliform bacteria. All of these can potentially cause stomach problems and symptoms of pneumonia, which include headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea.

But how does bacteria manage to spread so quicklyat the gym in the first place?

Free weights can have over 300 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, according toFitRated.com. The hard surface is very inviting for bacteria, and theyre almost never cleaned as much as they should be.

So, combine the filthy free weights with every person whos hitting the water fountain and inadvertently spreading the love, and weve got a germ-filled disaster.

If your mind hasnt been blown enough yet, get this: A dogs bowl is actually safer to drink out of than a water fountain, according to The Toronto Star.

Their investigationshowed that a water fountain had 4,529 bacteria, while a dog bowl had just 172 bacteria.

Dont fret, though. This doesnt have to be the end of your fitness lifestyle (although, Im not going to lie, I definitely considered it).

Of course, you still need to stay hydrated during your workout, so instead of gulping from the germ-infested community water fountain, it might be time to make the transition to a nice, clean, personal water bottle.

But, just remember, if you must drink from the forbidden fountain, let the water run for a few seconds before taking a drink. This reduces the potential risk of consuming toxic levels of metals or elevated bacterial levels.